lavender

American  

[lav-uhn-der] / ˈlæv ən dər /

noun

1. a pale bluish purple.

2. any Old World plant or shrub belonging to the genus Lavandula, of the mint family, especially L. angustifolia, having spikes of fragrant, pale purple flowers.

3. the dried flowers or other parts of this plant placed among linen, clothes, etc., for scent or as a preservative.

4. Also called lavender water.  toilet water, aftershave, or the like, made with a solution of oil of lavender.

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adjective

1. of the color lavender.

2. Informal.

   1. of or relating to gay male sexual orientation.

   2. (of a man) gay or effeminate.

lavender British  

/ ˈlævəndə /

noun

1. any of various perennial shrubs or herbaceous plants of the genus Lavandula, esp L. vera, cultivated for its mauve or blue flowers and as the source of a fragrant oil ( oil of lavender ): family Lamiaceae (labiates) See also spike lavender Compare sea lavender

2. the dried parts of L. vera, used to perfume clothes

3. 1. a pale or light bluish-purple to a very pale violet colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      lavender socks

4. perfume scented with lavender

5. informal (modifier) of or relating to homosexuality

   lavender language

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Etymology

Origin of lavender

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English lavendre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin lavendula, variant of livendula, nasalized variant (unrecorded) of lividula “a plant livid in color”; see livid , -ule

Explanation

You know that sweet-smelling plant with tiny purple-blue flowers your grandmother has growing in her garden? Well that’s lavender, a sweet-smelling evergreen with 93 different species. If you’re brave and look in your grandmother’s drawer you’ll probably find dried sachets of lavender flowers to keep her clothes smelling nice, as lavender is one of the most common natural scents of all, including an oil made from its essence. The plant has also given its name to the color lavender. So, a plant, a scent and a color — not bad for one little shrub!

Example Sentences

She later went from a figure-hugging sheer lavender Gucci gown to a playful daytime polka dot ensemble from Jacquemus matched with retro white sun glasses, with Elle magazine praising her "old Hollywood" dash.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Actress Chase Sui Wonders dripped with diamonds in a pale lavender dress.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

The swish of polyester skirts in spring pastels — lavender, mint, butter-yellow — as the women of the church organized the spread.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

We decided on the lavender nights at 123 Farm, a farm and event venue in Cherry Valley.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

She smelled like lavender and I couldn’t help but notice how much she looked like Mama, with her hair curling around her face and her eyes crinkled up at the edges.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor

Related Words

• lilac
• violet